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Toshack hopes for reinforcements

John Toshack is hoping that a number of his injured stars will be back in action by the autumn.

By Chris Burton

Last Updated: 02/06/08 5:32pm

John Toshack is hoping that a number of his injured stars will be back in action by the autumn.

The Wales boss has been forced to field a number of inexperienced youngsters of late, but despite their impressive displays he is keen to have his senior internationals back in the fold in time for the start of their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The former Real Madrid coach is also keen to add reinforcements to his squad in order to allow him to tinker with his tactics ahead of the crucial fixtures.

The Welsh face tricky trips to Russia and Germany during the early stages of their bid to reach South Africa and Toshack knows that his troops are in for a tough time

Fitness

"We will have to wait and see how things go now," he said.

"We have had to use some very young, inexperienced defenders and given them the chance to see how they do against very good players.

"We have got the summer months to see if the likes of Gareth Bale, Danny Gabbidon, Simon Davies and James Collins can get themselves fit.

"What we need now is for our senior players to get themselves back and ready. We want Craig Bellamy to have a good pre-season after so long out and to start next term in West Ham's team.

Important

"Davies and (Carl) Fletcher should both be over injuries by then and then we will have to wait to see what happens to the two West Ham boys, Gabbidon and Collins.

"They are all important players, along with Bale. We need all of them back to give ourselves a chance.

"We know it will be tough if we have to use lads who have been playing at Hull, Barnsley and Peterborough."

One of Toshack's promising youngsters who is currently plying his trade outside of the top flight is Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey.

Outstanding

After a string of inspired performances for the national side in recent months, including during the 2-0 defeat to Holland on Sunday, the Wales coach was keen to single out the talented 21-year-old for special praise.

"It has been an interesting 12 months, we have played 13 matches in that time and only lost three, and that includes against Holland and Germany," he said.

"We have had some terrific goalkeeping in that run, and again Hennessey was outstanding against Holland.

"Where he is next season, I don't know, it's not for us to say. We have had a lot of youngsters who have moved up divisions in their careers recently and as long as they are playing, it is all right by us.

"Our goalkeeping situation has improved considerably of late. Apart from Wayne we have Boaz Myhill in the squad now. He has had a great season with Hull and will, we assume, be a Premier League regular next season.

"So Wayne knows that he has got somebody pushing him who will be playing regularly in the top flight."